Nepeannews 22june2017

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Thursday, 22 June 2017

ISSUE 203

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Still scoring!

THE Great Walk Foundation has been raising money for our local community for ten years now, and this year they reached the magic million dollar milestone! This year’s fundraising events were wrapped up at a luncheon held at the Pioneer Hotel last Friday, with guests treated to some banter from own local hero Mark MG Geyer and Wendell Sailor. Full story page 11.

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Nepean News 22 June 2017 Issue 203

NSW budget delivers new schools and roads

By Keegan Thomson

The 2017 New South Wales budget has been announced and there are big spends for local schools and infrastructure upgrades across the region.

The Berejiklian government will spend a staggering $4.2 billion on schools across the state with many in the Nepean region benefiting from the extra cash splash.

According to the government there will be upgrades at Claremont Meadows Public School, Cecil Hills Public School, Penrith Public School, Kingswood High and Richmond High. The upgrades will make room for more staff and bigger learning capacities.

There will also be two new schools built in the region including a previously announced new public school for Jordan Springs and a new school, with the location not yet announced, built within the Penrith electorate.

On a state level the upgrades and spending will create some 32,000 new places for school children and some 1,500 new classrooms.

The Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, said the government now has its

 Mulgoa MP, Tanya Davies, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Photo: Supplied.

sights set on boosting the standards of education in New South Wales.

“The NSW government is already building the roads, public transport and other hard infrastructure we need – now it’s time for a huge investment in the social infrastructure we need, including schools,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“In this year’s budget, we are committing more funding to the construction of new schools and more school upgrades than Labor did in their last 11 years of office combined.

“We are spending more on school infrastructure in four years than Labor did in their last eight in government,” she said.

Western Sydney will also reap the benefits of the state government’s $1 billion investment in road projects across the region.

The Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies MP, welcomed the more than $1 billion in spendings on roads projects across western Sydney as part of the NSW government’s 2017-18 budget.

“This is fantastic news for the local community and we are getting on with delivering vital arterial roads to ensure we can support residential and commercial growth and meet future traffic demand,” Mrs Davies said.

“By 2031 more than half of all new jobs in Sydney will be created

in western Sydney, so we’re getting ahead to ensure road users and workers are connected with jobs across the region.”

Mrs Davies also said $648 million of combined federal and state government funding will be made available to continue building and upgrading roads to support the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek.

“This funding includes completion of the first stage of The Northern Road upgrade between Camden Valley Way, The Old Northern Road and Peter Brock Drive and the first stage of Bringelly Road upgrade between Camden Valley Way and King Street,” Mrs Davies said.

Another $21 million has been allocated for planning of the M12 motorway, while $2 million has been set aside for planning of the Outer Sydney Orbital.

Previously the government has announced big spends across the state on hospitals, including the ongoing redevelopment of the Nepean Hospital which is set to cost more than half a billion dollars.

All in all the government has delivered a budget that covers all the bases with many across the Nepean set to benefit greatly from it.

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localnews Services Worship and Communion Sunday 9:30am Wednesday Fellowship Wednesday 7:30pm Dare Youth Saturday 6:30pm Healing / Revival First Friday of Month 7:30pm

Contact: (02) 9673 1009

www.newhorizonschurch.org.au

 L to R: Chris Miller - Chairman of POTY & St Marys Rotary Club Public Relations Director.Jan Bradley - President of Wallacia Rotary Club, Inspector Branko Kubecka - St Marys LAC, Cheryl Deguara - President of St Marys Rotary Club.

By Kerrie Davies

FOLLOWING the St Marys Police Officer of the Year award night dinner held in April, St Marys & Wallacia Rotary Clubs were able to donate $4,500 to Police Legacy.

The donations were handed over to Inspector Branko Kubecka of St Marys LAC at St Marys Rotary Club meeting at Twin Creeks Gold Club last week.

“St Marys LAC Police Officer of the Year awards nights have now been running for eight years and over that time St Marys & Wallacia Rotary Clubs have had the pleasure to donate over $39,000 to Police Legacy,” Public Relations Director Chris Miller said.

“These donations could not be

possible without the great sponsorship and support of local businesses and the local press.”

The award night was a great success, with four major awards handed out to officers who were outstanding in 2016.

There were 29 nominees from which 12 were nominated to be in the finals.

“It was very hard to select finalists as all the officers nominated deserve commended for their hard work keeping us safe.” Mr Miller said.

If you were in a position where you were provided with exceptional assistance in 2016 by any member of St Marys LAC Police and would like to nominate an officer(s) please contact St Marys Police on 96777499 or Chris Miller 0417 409 720.

Giving Hope Today Sunday Worship 10:00 AM Boy’s and Girl’s SAGALA (Similar to Scouts) 6:00 PM Monday Women’s Meeting 10:30 AM Thursday Street Dreams (Dance Group) 4:00 PM Thursday Kid’s Club 4:00 PM Friday (Dedications, Wedding or Funerals by appointment) 48 Luttrell St Glenmore Park P: 02 47331133 W: www.salvos.org.au/penrith E: salvospenrith@gmail.com

Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry

Ph: 9833 1122 154 Queen Street, St Marys londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Nepean News 22 June 2017 Issue 203

Police Legacy Donation

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by Kerrie Davies I AM going to write this week about one of the Nepean Region’s greatest treasures.

No, it isn’t the Nepean River, Penrith Lakes or the breathtaking mountains backdrop, valued as they are.

I’m referring to a local bloke who has Penrith rushing through every inch of his veins and has one of the biggest hearts I’ve ever come across.

The man is Mark MG Geyer, and he is without a doubt one of our community’s most cherished gems.

The amount of local charities and good causes that MG gets behind is nothing short of incredible. In my role here at Nepean News, I often come across a story or cause that I see would benefit from having MG’s support. And every time I call him to share it, he jumps in and throws his support behind it before I’ve even had to ask. “What can I do Kez? How can I help?”

He doesn’t have to give his time and effort to help locals in need; we’d all love and adore him anyway. But he does it because he is just a genuinely humble, big-hearted bloke who really feels for people and wants to make a difference wherever he can.

He’ll always be cherished for his former rugby league contributions, our own resident lovable larrikin.

Audiences will always enjoy his humour on the Triple M Grill Team and the footy show.

School kids who’ve done it tough and want to play rugby league will always be able to attribute some part of their brightest school days to Mark and his genius idea in the form of the MG Cup. Having hailed from Mt Druitt himself, Mark created a formula to pave the way for kids to play the sport they love, and also be the best student they could be, ensuring they get a great education and learn discipline along the way.

He has thrown his support behind far too many charities to name here, but they include the Cancer Council, Epilepsy Awareness and the Great Walk Foundation; just to name a few.

It never ceases to amaze me just how humble this guy is. If you’ve had the pleasure to meet him, you’ll know that he has the ability to warm to each and every person he comes across, and after two minutes of talking to him you forget that he is a household identity, because he is just so real.

Having him as a columnist at Nepean News is amazing for our publication, again a testament to the kind of guy he is. It’s kind of like a mega movie star such as Brad Pitt appearing in a school play in Bonnie Doon. He’s just an incredibly nice bloke who does incredibly nice things.

And I’m lucky enough to call him one of my good mates now too, although I did question that when he prank called me last night and gave me a mini heart attack!

I always tell him he is the Epitome of Zero BS, because that’s how he rolls. There’s no airs and graces, there’s no over-inflated ego, what you see is 100 per cent what you get.

After all the success he’s had in life, you could pluck him out of all those roles tomorrow and plant him back into the street he grew up in Whalan and they’d see exactly the same Mark who left.

Yes, we have many great treasures in the Nepean Region, but one of the purest and flawless gems is our very own MG. Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

Mountain view restored Penrith Council has celebrated four years of work that has seen Mountain View Reserve in Cranebrook restored to protect endangered species and improve the water quality flowing into the Hawkesbury Nepean River system and Penrith Lakes.

The project funded by the Australian Government has helped protect the critically endangered and regionally significant reserve which forms part of the Cumberland Plain Woodland.

Penrith Mayor John Thain  Penrith Mayor John Thain with some of the stakeholders involved in the thanked the Australian restoration of Mountain View Reserve Government for funding the $1.8 • designed and built a large treatment wetland million project and volunteers from the bushcare to treat stormwater from the catchment group who worked on the project.

• repaired the bush track and included steps to “By restoring this area we’ve helped protect endangered species of flora and habitat for fauna, manage erosion and improve access • built a walking path along the wetland and like the Cumberland Plain Land Snail and the bushland to link up with existing paths Diamond Firetail Finch,” Cr Thain said.

• installed informative signs and metal “Our loudest thanks must go the volunteer bushcare group who took on much of the back sculptures throughout the reserve • put in thousands of hours of bush regeneration breaking weed control and planting work and of • planted over 77,000 native plants course, the Cranebrook community who have • nstalled 10 habitat boxes for native animals, been involved in many aspects of this project.” and The restoration project has: • installed bins with plastic bag dispensers for • designed and built a raingarden along Soling dog owners.

Crescent to treat stormwater In August work on a viewing platform and a • fenced the reserve to keep out vehicles but bird hide will complete the reserve. allow walkers through

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SOLD BY 9834 1044 NEPEAN DISTRICT

Stuart Ayres

MP

Member for Penrith

Phone: 4722 8660 Email: penrith@parliament.nsw.gov.au Shop 23, Tattersalls Centre, 510-534 High Street, Penrith

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Brave Ziad runs out with the blues

By Conner Lowe

WHEN the blues took to the field for the second state of origin last night, one of our bravest local heroes was running the ball.

Picked ahead of all options across the state, Ziad was chosen following a great pitch from Penrith Junior League General Manager, Phil Cummings.

It was only last year that St Clair youngster Ziad Soltani was found with an inoperable brain tumour during a routine MRI after an injury he sustained playing rugby league.

This was a shock to everyone who knew Ziad and who was involved with the St Clair Comets, but most devastated were Ziad’s parents, Trudie and Amin.

There was only one doctor who would operate on Ziad and that was Dr Charlie Teo, but they had to raise $100,000 in five days to fund the surgery. The money was raised and the surgery has now been completed by Dr Charlie Teo and Ziad is currently free from the brain tumour.

Family friend for many years, Krissy Stimpson, was with Ziad when he first sustained the injury that led to further testing and she knew instinctively that something wasn’t

quite right.

“I’ve known Ziad for many years, he and my son are best friends,” Krissy said.

“When he came off the field he didn’t look well. I’ve seen him soldier on after getting hurt before so this time he seemed different. After he threw up, I knew it was cause for concern but thought he had concussion.”

Just months after the surgery Ziad has got back on the field to play the sport that he loves. Ziad took to the field for the St Clair Comets and loved every second of the game that he was told he would never play again.

Krissy spoke about how excited Ziad was to get back on the field and how he is doing after his surgery.

“Ziad was super excited to get back out on the field and play with his team-mates,” she said.

“He is doing okay, he has good days but still struggles with some issues, although he is tumour free, he still has side effects and there are also new issues arising because of the surgeries he received.”

Krissy also spoke about how Ziad’s parents felt about him playing rugby league again and about all the donations that were made to help the surgery become a reality.

“There are no words that can accurately sum up what that means.

Ziad was going to die, he has his life thanks to those who donated, whether it was $500, $5 or 50c, every single

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donation contributed to saving his life and words can never express the gratitude Ziad and all of those who love him have for the people that helped us save him,” she said.

“Ziad’s parents are happy he is here and is lucky enough to be doing what he wants considering 11 months ago they were told he would be completely paralysed by now, but at the same time nervous as they almost lost their son, and he insists on being out on the field playing such high contact sport.”

Ziad is still recovering from all the surgeries and side effects that come with the medication that he was on, however, he is still able to run out on the field for his St Clair Comets.

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Nepean News 22 June 2017 Issue 203

Getting to know....

Equestrian Championships

Stuart Ayres Member for Penrith with Conner Lowe

1. What was your first paid job?

Delivering the local newspaper 2. What is your guilty pleasure?

Almost any form of Cadbury Chocolate.

3. What is your biggest fear/phobia and why?

Not keen on wasps.

4. What is your worst habit?

Bit of a workaholic...

5. Best advice you have ever been given?

You have 2 ears and 1 mouth, use them in that ratio.

6. If you only had $50 left in the bank, how would you spend it?

A day at the races with Marise.

7. Favourite holiday destination and why?

Anywhere in Australia. Best food, wine and local stories in the world.

8. Do you have a favourite sporting team?

Penrith Panthers 9. Name one reason that you love Western Sydney?

The authenticity of its people and I just love it’s no BS attitude to life.

10. In three words, describe your perfect Sunday?

Breakfast with Marise.

 Action from the Cross Country and Show Jumping at the 2017 NSW Inter-Schools Equestrian Championships.

Photos courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

By Noel Rowsell

The NSW State Inter-Schools Equestrian Championships were held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park last week (13th-18th June).

350 participants from both Primary and Secondary Schools throughout NSW competed in the five-day event.

The Championships were run in the following disciplines: Combined Training, Dressage, Eventing, Jumping, Show Horse, Cross Country and Vaulting.

Inter-School competitions provide a structured, graduated selection of events across the Olympic disciplines.

The primary objective of Equestrian Australia is the development of horse sports

from the participation level to the high performance level.

Inter-School comprises both competition and an educational pathway for young athletes to participate in equestrian sport, during their primary and secondary school years.

The State Branches of Equestrian Australia co-ordinate the organisation of Inter-School competition and training, with the aim of promoting education and sportsmanship to student athletes.

This includes educating athletes in horsemanship, horse management and creating a competitive sporting environment.

Results for the Inter-School Championships can be found on the Equestrian NSW website: http://www.nsw.equestrian.org.au/

Children & Dogs – Part 3 For the last few weeks we have been discussing children and dogs. Last weeks article was about preparing puppies for a happy long term relationship with children. It’s great when puppies and kids grow together but sometimes we are faced with the situation of introducing babies around adult dogs.

This week we will discuss preparing the adult dog for a new baby.

The first thing to consider is the dogs temperament; any type of aggressive or fearful behaviour – even if mild or subtle (such as growling or pricking ears back) should be addressed by a professional (such as a veterinary behaviourist) well before the baby arrives.

Some thought should be given into preparing the family dog before the arrival of the new baby.

Dogs are likely to become anxious if the routine, environment or the way the family interacts with the dog changes. Therefore, gradual adjustments should be made before the baby arrives. Feeding, exercise, play schedules as well as sleeping/resting areas and any new routines/rules will need to be slowly introduced well ahead of the baby’s arrival. This gives time for the dog to adjust to the changes and also time for you to train your dog.

It is important that your training focuses on

positive reinforcement – this means rewarding good behaviour and ignoring bad behaviour. So if you are trying to train your dog that the baby room is off limits, it is important to ignore the dog when it decides to go into the baby room and reward the dog with treats and attention when it decides to explore other rooms of the house. If the family is consistent with their responses, the dog should quickly learn those behaviours that are rewarded and those that are not.

The dog should also be prepared for the homecoming by exposing him/her to the noises and smells of the new baby. If the dog becomes frightened or anxious when it hears strange sounds, a recording of baby noises can be used as a part of a desensitisation and counterconditioning program; this may involve playing the noises at very low volume and giving the

dog treats and slowly increasing the volume over a matter of weeks. A towel or blanket with the babies scent can also be taken home to prepare the pet for the new smells.

Some dogs can also become anxious when the mother carries & nurses a noisy baby. It is a good idea to practice with a doll (preferably one that makes noise) and see how the dog responds. If the dog becomes anxious, try and make a positive association with the doll by giving the dog food rewards and attention everytime it sees the doll and the mother nursing it.

It is important to remember that regardless of how gentle your dog is, animals and children should never be left unsupervised. If you have any questions regarding your dog’s behaviour, please contact Coreen Avenue Veterinary Clinic on 4731 3055.

Coreen Avenue Veterinary Clinic Units 2 & 3/117 Coreen Ave, Penrith NSW 2750

Phone 47 313 055

Pollies dispute over Penrith police numbers

By Keegan Thomson

A blue has erupted over the authorised numbers of officers who’re assigned to Penrith Police Station with NSW Labor accusing the state government of neglect and risky cost cutting, and Penrith MP Stuart Ayres hitting back saying they’d left officers on leave out of the calculations.

According to Labor’s figures, as of April 2017, Penrith Local Area Command is 6 Police Officers under strength. The information also shows Penrith Police Station was under staffed by 5 in January 2017.

The NSW Shadow Minister for Justice and Police, Guy Zangari, and the Member for Londonderry, Prue Car, said the Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres, has failed to deliver for the region.

Mr Zangari said the police are doing a great job in the region but are in need of more help from the state government.

“Despite their promises to protect the community, the Liberal/Nationals state government has failed locals yet again by dropping police officer numbers at Penrith LAC,” Mr Zangari said.

“We have police in Penrith doing an outstanding job in their community, and I commend them for their dedication to keeping us all safe, but the LAC clearly needs need more police officers and resources,” he said.

Local MP for Londonderry, Prue Car, said the government needs to sort out their priorities.

“We have a NSW Government whose failure to appropriately staff and resource our LAC’s is

putting the community’s welfare at risk. Our region is suffering as a result of government inaction,” Ms Car said.

“The Liberal/Nationals State Government has their priorities all wrong. They have abandoned the needs of families in Penrith by failing to deliver resources to police the region,” she said.

Despite the outrage from the opposition these same figures Labor highlights also show that Penrith LAC held a surplus of staff members from January 2015 to January 2016.

According to the figures, from January 2015 to January 2016 there were 15 extra officers stationed in Penrith.

Penrith MP, Stuart Ayres, hit back at the opposition’s figures saying Labor shouldn’t be commenting on the state of the force until they have their own plan for funding the NSW Police.

“There are now more police on the beat in NSW than any year under Labor,” Mr Ayres said.

“What’s even worse Labor has no plan to continue to fund our Police Force into the future.

Putting hard won gains at risk.

“This is clear given Mr Zangari couldn’t tell anyone how he would fund even one new police officer in Penrith. If you can’t answer that how can we trust Labor with anything,” the MP said.

Mr Ayres went as far as to accuse Labor of not understanding the figures they were quoting.

“Penrith has the lowest crime rates we have seen in years and this Labor clown swans into Penrith and forgets to count officers on sick and annual leave as well as those on training,” he said.

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Nepean Christian School ‘buzzes’ with activity

Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies MP has visited Nepean Christian School to officially open the new library facility, ‘The Hive.’

As well as view the new operational security access gates and block-out shutters funded under the 2015/2016 Community Building Partnership Program.

Tanya Davies was joined by Nepean Christian School Principal Cameron Nunn on her recent visit.

Under the Building Grants Assistance Scheme (BGAS), Nepean Christian School received a $700,000 grant which contributed to building the school’s new library facility, ‘The Hive.’

“I am pleased to join the Nepean Christian School community in officially opening of ‘The Hive.’ This state-of-the-art library will open a world full of imagination, creativity, learning and opportunity for all the students at Nepean Christian School.

This is a wonderful example of the impact that the Building Grants Assistance Scheme is making in our schools,” Tanya Davies said.

BGAS grants are directed towards independent and Catholic schools with the greatest need, to help schools cater for growing enrolments, and to refurbish or build new facilities.

“I am sure ‘The Hive’ will be buzzing with activity,” Tanya Davies said.

Under the 2015 Community Building Partnership Program, Nepean Christian School received a grant worth $19,406 towards funding signage, security access gates and entrance lights at the school.

“The essence of the Community Building Partnership Program is to support projects that benefit our local community through funding initiatives that encourage growth and development,” Tanya Davies said.

Under the 2016 Community Building Partnership Program, Nepean Christian School received a grant worth $10,000 towards the purchasing of block-out shutters for the school hall.

“As the school hall is used for a number of community activities, the installation of the block-out shutters will enable the hall to be utilised safely for both school and community based performances,” Tanya Davies said.

BGAS is administered by the Association of Independent Schools NSW and the NSW Catholic Block Grant Authorities and funded by the NSW Government.

For more information about the Community Building Partnership Program, please visit: http://www. communitybuildingpartnership.nsw. gov.au/home.

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A bunch of local blokes who raised a million dollars The Great Walkers

Locals enjoying the MG Lunch

By Kerrie Davies

WHAT began as a dare over a glass or four of wine between local mates Jonathan Green and Mark Mullock ten years ago, has turned into a major local fundraising foundation who have just cracked the million dollar mark.

The Great Walk Foundation raises money each year when a bunch of blokes embark on a trek with raising money that goes directly to help our local community in mind.

The ten mates are a mixture of local business people and professionals; Jonathan Green, Mark Mullock, Mark Geyer, Rob Werne, Tony Bowden, Trent Baker, Cam Mcinnes, Dave Crossman, Graeme O’Kell and Greg Nelson.

Each brings along their own strength to the walk and the raising of funds, and it culminates in a luncheon at the Pioneer Hotel with Mark MG Geyer and a variety of guests each year.

“We’ve been doing the walk every year for ten years now. The MG lunch was something that Mark decided to do over the last couple of years and it has been like the cream on the cake,” Founder Jonathan Green said.

As you would have seen on our cover, this year’s lunch featured special guest Wendell Sailor and more money was raised through ticket prices and auctions.

“The ten blokes who participate on the walk didn’t really didn’t know each other that well to begin with but now we’ve all become great mates,”

Jonathan said.

Over the ten years. the foundation has contributed to and supported more charities and causes than I could possibly fit in one article, but these include two community buses to Greater Community Transport, Sailing boats for Sailability on Penrith Lakes and over $200,000 to the NIC Unit at Nepean Hospital.

“We heard that sick kids were being transported to Westmead because there just wasn’t the equipment at Nepean Hospital,” Jonathan said.

“We thought, this isn’t good, so we bought $200,000 worth of stuff that they didn’t have, including humidicribs - so the families of sick babies didn’t have to pull up stumps.

“It couldn’t have been done without the generosity of the community, and the support has blown us away.

“To think that a few blokes from the west could raise a million dollars in just ten years that makes a real difference in our community is a pretty great feeling,” he said.

Amazing effort, well done!

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Legends of the Nepean

By Keegan Thomson

‘SELFLESS’ is a two syllable word that best describes Vietnam War veteran and local champion, Paul Crofts.

At the age of 20 he was conscripted to war, something he describes as a bit of pot luck.

“In 1969 I just had turned 20, not long after that I was conscripted into the army. My marble came out one day and

they said, ‘you’re in boy’,” Paul said.

After 10 weeks of basic training followed by 10 weeks of infantry training at Singleton and three weeks of jungle training at Canungra in Queensland, the opportunity came up for volunteers to head over to Vietnam with 2RARNZ, the Royal Australian Regiment/ New Zealand, an Anzac battalion.

Paul signed up and went over to the fight the Viet Cong but tragically Paul didn’t make it out of Vietnam without

Getting ready to come home after breaking his leg. Photo: Paul Crofts

an injury.

“I got hurt in Vietnam, and I think that changed my life a lot,” he said.

“We used to go in and out of helicopters a lot on operations, for extraction and moving soldiers, and as I was coming out of a chopper one day I landed on my leg the wrong way.

“It gave out from underneath me and I had to be sent home on a C130 Hercules plane. I was sent back to Australia six weeks before my deployment ended.

Christmas Day, 1970, with Paul in Vietnam. Photo: Paul Crofts

“I was lucky, in one respect, because I was in Concord Repatriation Hospital when I found out my platoon had been hit. They lost a couple of blokes and seven were wounded,” Paul said solemnly.

It was while Paul was in Concord Repatriation Hospital that he had his first exchange with the Returned Service League of Australia (RSL).

Despite being a member of the RSL at the time, even with his service history and his war injuries, Paul was overlooked because of the negative stigma surrounding the Vietnam War. “When the RSL came and gave different things to the older veterans from World War 1 and World War 2, they gave me nothing, and one day they even told me that I wasn’t a real veteran,” he said.

Even though the RSL originally overlooked Paul and other Vietnam War veterans he was prepared to forgive and forget with the Sub-Branch in Penrith soon becoming Paul’s second home later in life.

In 1998, 30 odd years after the war, Paul was giving a presentation at the RSL Sub-Branch in Penrith when the former President invited him to help with pensions and welfare claims.

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Paul crofts Because of his commitment and his rapport with other veterans, eventually Paul was asked to take over as the Pensions and Welfare Officer at the Penrith Sub-Branch. This is a job Paul is proud of and is something he went above and beyond for.

“I was averaging 55 interviews a month for pensions and I started to do funerals not long after I started,” Paul said.

“From 1999 until February this year I carried out 394 funerals and services for current and former service men and women who who’ve passed away.”

Even though he doesn’t have any obligation to do this, Paul goes to a lot of effort to write and research the eulogy for the deceased service men and women, and often helps organise the funerals of service personnel who’ve passed away.

“Usually I write up a eulogy for the traditional service eulogy, I’ll then find out what unit they were part of and research a little more into their life.

Then I’ll put that information with the service eulogy into a proper eulogy for them,” he said.

During the service Paul reads out the eulogy.

“At the end of the service they’ll

come up and thank me, they’ll ask me for a copy of the eulogy and there is so much satisfaction in that,” Paul says.

After experiencing the horrors of war, Paul says deeds like this have helped him recover mentally. He describes these selfless deeds as ‘his island’.

“I call it my island,” he said. “Instead of sitting at home and having a drink and complaining all the time I get out and help people when they’re most at need,” he said.

“It helps my healing process.

“The RSL would get in touch and tell me someone has passed away, so I would get in touch with the family and go over and offer them some support, because that is what people want.”

Paul would also call up local veterans and returned service people at random to simply offer up a word of support and to check in.

“We had a list of about 1400 people who we’d ring,” he said. “They were called “are you okay?” calls, and the service men and women would really appreciate a simple call.”

Paul was also the Director of the Penrith RSL Club Ltd from 2002 to 2014.

Due to health reasons Paul put a lot of his commitments aside whilst he

went through recovery but due to his work with them, the RSL made Paul a life member. For his efforts across his lifetime he was also awarded an OAM on Australia Day, 2017.

Currently Paul is mainly offering help independently, he describes himself as a ‘freelancer’ offering up help and consultations to returned service men and women who’re facing issues of their own.

13

“I just love helping people, it helps me and I can offer up something to someone else so that their life can maybe be a little better,” he said.

Paul Crofts was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Kerrie Davies.

If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@aol.com

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localnews

Nepean News 22 June 2017 Issue 203

MP moves to Queen Street

 Ryan Park MP, Prue Car MP and Mayor John Thain.

By Keegan Thomson

LOCAL MP for Londonderry Prue Car has moved from her Werrington MP office to a shiny new office in downtown St Marys.

Ms Car’s new office, situated about halfway down Queen street, was opened last Friday by special guest Shadow Treasurer Ryan Park, Mayor

John Thain and around 40 of her supporters.

Ms Car said the move would put her in the “beating heart of the wonderful electorate of Londonderry” and said the new office would help her continue serving the public.

“I’m really happy that we can be here servicing this community and all the other communities around us,” Ms Car said.

During the opening she also thanked

 Ms Car’s new office. Photos: Kennedi Geyer.

the efforts of the volunteers who’ve helped out her office and her election campaigns across the last few years.

“It is the supporters who’re regularly out there with myself consulting the local community at the mobile offices, the train stations or door knocking, making sure we are accessible to the community,” she said.

Special guest, Shadow Treasurer Ryan Park, spoke fondly about his

friendship with Ms Car over the last 12 months.

“I have seen her around the shadow cabinet table fighting for the people of Londonderry and the issues that matter out here,” Mr Park said.

“She is passionate about what she does. She tried whenever possible to walk in the shoes of her community,” he said.

Prue Car’s new office is located 154 Queens street, St Marys.

Men’s Shed focuses on emotional well-being and health

By Keegan Thomson

NEPEAN Men’s Shed has reaffirmed their commitment to fighting the stigma around men’s mental health during Men’s Health Week.

Across the 2017 Men’s Health Week the team at the Nepean Men’s Shed ran the theme of ‘Healthy Body – Healthy Mind: Keeping the Balance’.

The program aimed at exploring the different ways men and boys are managing to keep physically, emotionally and mentally healthy in a stressful, busy and sometimes challenging world.

During Men’s Health Week, St Clair and District Men’s Shed and Nepean Men’s Shed planned activities with a particular focus on mental health.

President of Nepean Men’s Shed, Mike Siegle, said men often forget to think about their mental health.

“Most guys don’t talk about their mental health because men are more prevalent to hide their feelings, compared to ladies,” Mr Siegle said.

He said the Nepean Men’s Shed offers blokes a place to talk with like-minded people in a safe and open space.

“The Shed is the best thing for any retirees or anyone who has been retrenched. We’ve got camaraderie, you can have a cuppa tea and forget about the world for a couple of hours,” he said.

Offering up some tips, Mr Siegle said the best thing you can do for your mental health is get out of the house and put down the grog.

“The most important thing is to make sure you don’t sit in front of the TV for hours on end and you

15 Nepean News 22 June 2017 Issue 203

localnews

 Members of the Nepean Men’s Shed. Photo: Keegan Thomson

don’t drink your sorrows away, because that will only further your depression,” he said.

“The best thing to do is to get out and about and mingle with people, and the Men’s Shed offers that,” he added.

Penrith Mayor, John Thain, said the Council is proud to support the important work that the Men’s Shed is doing, particularly in relation to mental health issues.

“Council has formed strong connections with the

Men’s Shed organisation in recent years and worked with them on a number of projects,” said Cr Thain.

“They provide a valuable service to men who need someone to talk to, outside caring friends and family.”

The Nepean Men’s Shed holds morning tea on Monday and Wednesday, and it open on Friday. The Shed is open from 9 am to 2 pm on those days.

Anyone interested in joining the Nepean Men’s Shed can contact Mike Siegle on 0419 628 626.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Dolphin (8) 5 Slaps (6) 9 Shot up abruptly (8) 10 Capital of Canada (6) 12 Scavenging (9) 13 Barf (5) 14 Shadow (archaic) (4) 16 Purposes (7) 19 Romantic (7) 21 Passport (4) 24 Coops (5) 25 Global (9) 27 Not senior (6) 28 Marrow squash plant (8) 29 Messy (6) 30 Insincere praise (8)

solution 8/6/17

DOWN 1 Examine (6) 2 Amply (6) 3 Classical music theatre (5) 4 Appearing (7) 6 Incites (9) 7 Disputant (8) 8 Most intelligent (8) 11 Tangelo (4) 15 Intersection (9) 17 Wolverine (8) 18 Supposedly, a policeman’s favorite (8) 20 Seeded (4) 21 Realistic (7) 22 Manly (6) 23 Prove true or correct (6) 26 An old gold coin (5)

16

e n t e r t a i n m e n t

Nepean News 22 June 2017 Issue 203

Our Languages Matter

Mayors Cup 2017

 They’ll be something for everyone at this year’s NAIDOC Celebrations at Jamison Park.

NAIDOC Week will be celebrated in Penrith this year on 7 July with a family fun day at Jamison Park including children’s activities, mixed Traditional Indigenous Games, netball games, a free BBQ, singers, free health checks and more between 9.30am and 3pm.

The 2017 theme - Our Languages Matter - emphasises and celebrates the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the transmission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.

Prior to European settlement there were 250 distinct Aboriginal language groups on mainland Australia. Today, there are just 120 and there is a huge risk of that many more will be lost.

Penrith Mayor John Thain said he was fully supportive of the Federal Government’s efforts to preserve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages through a number of special programs.

“The 2017 theme reminds us how important it is to value and preserve these languages,” Cr Thain said.

Events are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s a celebration for the whole community, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous people coming to together.

NAIDOC week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

 Missed By Red driven by Amanda Turnbull.

THE most important and distinguished race meeting of the year will take place on Thursday night, June 29, at the Penrith Paceway with the racing of the annual Mayors Cup. Placegetters from a series of heats conducted at Dubbo, Parkes, Bathurst, Wagga and Penrith will take their place in the final on Thursday night.

The race brings together Councillors and representatives from councils and shires throughout the state of NSW and they will be there as guests of our local Penrith City Council.

Other Guests attending will be

members from the competing clubs so the dinner on the final night creates a truly state wide gathering, one which Penrith is proud to be conducting.

Last year the race was won by Missed By Red driven by Amanda Turnbull.

The race itself is for C1/2 class horses with prize money of $8000 plus a Trophies Run over the 2125m distance.

The 2017 race will be one for the history books as all placegetters in contention are former winners of the Mayors Cup. It promises to be an exciting event to witness.

All of the excitement kicks off from 6 PM on Thursday June 29.

Station St, Penrith Ph. 4732 4777

Mayor’s Cup We pause with respect to honour those who fought, and those continuing to fight, putting their lives on the line for our great country.

Thursday June 29 from 6 pm

Get dressed up and enjoy a night out at the trots!

The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre welcomes the arrival of CoisCéim Dance Theatre and their wondrous children’s show - The Wolf and Peter - to Penrith for four enthralling shows.

Straight from a sell-out tour of Ireland and performing in Australia at three venues only, The Joan is proud to be hosting CoisCéim’s (pronounced kush-came) - multi award winning Irish contemporary dance group at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre Penrith, 6 – 7 July. It’s a great opportunity for local families to enjoy the best international entertainment on offer without having to travel or pay city prices.

Promising to enrich and entertain little (and big) people’s hearts and lives, CoisCéim’s The Wolf and Peter takes inspiration from Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, considered one of the most famous pieces of music ever written.

Originally written as symphonic fairy tale as an engaging way to introduce children to the instruments of the orchestra and adapted many times over, this fun and richly theatrical production by David Bolger features five outstanding dancers and a live piano performance. Filled with dance, movement and live music, life is given

to a Bird, a Cat, a Duck, a Boy, and of course the WOLF in a highly energetic original work and a thrilling adventure that will capture your imagination as Peter saves the Wolf!

For this production, the extraordinary pianist Conor Linehan will play both the original classic score and his own new compositions live on stage as CoisCéim Dance Theatre takes this timeless story of courage and imagination as inspiration for their magical and beautiful show. And the twist - Bolger’s version of the story is told through the eyes of the WOLF. The Wolf and Peter will take children, and their families, on a thrilling adventure as they explore and discover contemporary dance and performance at its best. Arguably one of the best pieces of children’s dance theatre ever to be produced in Ireland, with the support of Culture Ireland, Western Sydney and Blue Mountains audiences have the very special opportunity to enjoy Ireland’s leading dance theatre company right here in Penrith!

On during the July school holidays, proudly sponsored by Celestino - four shows only, so don’t miss out: July and 7.

Book tickets now online www.thejoan.com or at the box office 4723 1100.

Sydney Dance Company & The Joan Holiday Dance Workshop 2 fun-filled and challenging days for passionate young dancers to explore dynamic dance styles under the direction of professional teachers and choreographers

13 & 14 July BOOK NOW: thejoan.com.au | 4723 7600 Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre 597 High St Penrith

17 Nepean News 22 June 2017 Issue 203

e n t e r t a i n m e n t The Wolf is coming

18 Nepean News 22 June 2017 Issue 203

e n t e r t a i n m e n t Guess Hughes coming to town? Stepping out

There is no person more synonymous with the Australian comedy scene than Dave “Hughesy” Hughes. Hughesy has already had a huge 2017 – owning TV’s night of nights with his killer TV WEEK Logie Award’s opener and performing to sold out shows in the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival and Sydney Comedy Festival. No one loves stand-up comedy more than Hughesy and now he is bringing his new show Deluded to Penrith!

As fans would know, life is never dull for this comedian and 2016 was his busiest yet. A father of three young kids, he continued to co-host the hit national drive show, Hughesy and Kate (Mix 102.3,97.3 FM and KIIS FM). However, not happy to be far away from the stand up stage, he also toured his live show, Sweet, to sellout crowds around the country, was invited to perform at the invitation-only Just For Laughs Festival in both Montreal and Sydney and had his own TV special, Hughes the Boss, air on Channel Nine.

If that wasn’t enough, he co-hosted Australia’s Got Talent as well as appeared as a regular guest on The AFL Footy Show - both on Channel Nine.

He was also had key spots on Melbourne Comedy Festival’s Big Three-Oh! stand up series and its Oxfam Gala.

During the year, he was named as one of Australia’s Top 20 Most Influential Men On Air

by Radio Today and, with his radio co-host Kate Langbroek, was listed in Who magazine’s Sexiest People for 2016. And yes, there are photos to prove it!

Oh and if you type “Hughesy” into your iPhone it autocorrects to “Highest.” While you take a moment to ponder the significance of that, you should also book your ticket before they sell out once again.

Date: Saturday 19th August Time: 7.30pm Tickets: $40 Link: www.premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/ show.aspx?sh=HUGHESDA17

Ruby Productions presents this boisterous comedy about the attempts of working class amateurs trying to overcome their inhibitions and two left feet in a low-rent dance studio in North London.

Mavis, a former professional chorus girl tries her hardest to teach the bumbling amateurs some dance skills for an upcoming recital, but before the dancing begins Mavis must mediate the minor dramas that erupt between this motley but lovable crew on their way to triumph at their recital.

Ticket price is $25 for adults and $20 concession.

Performance dates: 1st, 8th, 15th July 2pm and 8pm To book tickets go to www.trybooking.com/276670 To reserve show only phone (02) 47355422.

“STEPPING OUT” will be performed at John Lees Centre, 15 Evan Street; Penrith. www.rubyproductions. com.au

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Fiona Fields

SUNDAY 9 JULY 1PM

Launch of her new album “Old School”

20th Anniversary Gaels Club

Vehicle Supplied by Penrith Toyota

Bus will be available

GAME 3 JULY 12TH Drinks at Happy Hour Prices!

Come watch the game on the BIG Screen for your chance to WIN a State of Origin Jersey of your choice To go into the Draw buy a drink during the game & receive a ticket for the barrel

26 August 2017 Chance to WIN

a Toyota Corolla in our Anniversary Raffle

$10 per ticket

Winner will be drawn at the end of third game.

Must be present to win.

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SUNday 16 July 2.30pm

Tickets available at the club: Non Memebers $25 • Seniors $22 • Members $22 • Senior Members $20

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22

nepeanhistory

Nepean News 22 June 2017 Issue 203

Nepean River wages war on Penrith’s Victoria bridges

by Rosemary Weaver 2017 marked the 150th birthday of the third Nepean River Bridge (Victoria Bridge) between Emu Plains and Penrith, it’s two predecessors having fallen victims to the mighty power of the Nepean River. Here is a summary of how the Nepean nearly won the war!

T

he need for a bridge to provide a crossing of the Nepean in the 1850s came about because the punt (ferry) in operation just south of the present bridge, couldn’t handle the huge numbers of travellers heading to the recently opened up west and the gold fields. Stock, produce and coaches sometimes had to wait days, even weeks, before they could cross at Emu Ford if the river was in flood.

To solve this urgent problem, a group of local Penrith businessmen got together and formed the Penrith and Nepean Bridge Company with a starting capital of £6,000 to build a bridge and collect tolls.

A migrant surveyor from Scotland David McBeth, who had little knowledge of bridge building, was employed to supervise the construction which he sited a few hundred yards south of the present day bridge, near Punt Road on the western side of the river.

It took three years to build and was opened to the public on Tuesday 1st January 1856 following a lavish stately ball held on the bridge the night before. The bridge’s deck was divided in two with one section as a ballroom and the other a dining room. The decking was covered with canvas, decorated and illuminated by chandeliers and the guests were entertained by a band and enjoyed a elaborate dinner which was prepared at Emu Hall.

In an article that appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald in January 1856, it gives credit to the members of the Nepean Bridge Company ‘…They have thrown a bridge over the Nepean, and, what is of much more importance, they have built that bridge without asking a penny from the government…’

But the low level timber bridge only lasted a mere three years before the Nepean washed its four centre spans away in the great flood of August 1857. The mid-stream piles were not properly embedded in the rock on the river bed and just fell apart in the raging flood waters.

It was agreed by the company to rebuild, but they decided not to give McBeth a second chance! and gave the contract to engineers Lockhart and Moriarty. They suggested that all the piles be replaced, and a new bridge be built, but the company decided to keep the remaining piles left after the flood.

Bridge number two withstood two large floods within a short time of its opening, but the Nepean had other ideas. And in its greatest flood in 1860, took the whole structure and dumped 700 feet of the decking three quarters of a mile away in one piece. The remnants of some of these piers can still be seen near the western bank of the river.

To be continued next issue....

 First Victoria Bridge

 The Penrith Ferry looking west. A sketch by Conrad Martens in 1835.

(From his album, Pencil Sketches of NSW, folio 3.

Courtesy of the State Library, Sydney.)

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With a prepaid funeral, just the way you are.

Not only will prepaying and preplanning your funeral protect your loved ones financially and emotionally, it also ensures that it’ll be representative of the life you’ve lived; that all the details will be tasteful, just the way you like it - almost as if you were there in fact...

MG returns to his old stomping ground

By Conner Lowe

The MG Cup brought a clash between two Mount Druitt schools Chifley College Dunheved and Chifley Mt Druitt High School. Mark Geyer returned to Mt Druitt to watch on as the schools showed off some talented displays.

The game was played in good spirits and was a very close contest throughout the whole match. Both schools put on a good display of footy as Mark Geyer watched on from the sideline. At half time Mark went and spoke to both teams and talked to the players about the game and the competition so far.

It’s good for the young players having a legend who was born and bred in the Mt Druitt area and became so successful to support the local schools in the MG Cup and get out and watch them play.

The MG Cup is getting to the latter stages of the competition with each age group grand-final to be played at Penrith Stadium and the winners of both age groups will be invited to watch Panthers play Manly and walk around the field at half time in

celebration of their triumph in the competition.

Unfortunately, due to the weather

that week the rest of the games had to be cancelled due to the safety of the students. The MG Cup will be in

full swing again as it hits the semifinals and the grand-final for both age groups in the coming weeks.

Former Penrith Basketballer selected in Boomer’s squad

By Conner Lowe

A former Penrith Panthers Basketballer has been named in a 20man Australian squad to train for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup. Angus Brandt who currently plays for the Perth Wildcats in the National Basketball League (NBL) has been selected after an outstanding season.

Angus has been selected for two other Australian camps previously, but only successfully made it into the Australian squad once.

The squad will train on the Gold Coast in preparation and from the camp, a squad of 12 players will head overseas for warm-up games, that will then prepare them and lead them straight into the FIBA Asia Cup. The Australian squad is full of new faces, with the inclusions of some experienced players. The squad is a mixture of players from Europe and the NBL, with some very talented and skilled basketball players, some of who represented Australia at the Rio Olympics.

Angus will feel good coming into the Australian camp after his best season yet. Angus won the NBL title with the Perth Wildcats and managed that with impressive statistics starting and coming off the bench to influence the game.

Angus spoke about his title winning season at the Perth Wildcats and how

he felt when he was selected in the 20man Boomers squad.

“It was extremely exciting. It was such a closely fought season by all clubs and to manage to win it was incredible. Something I won’t forget.

“This will be my third Australian camp. I did the Sino challenge and World Cup Boomers camp before my rookie season. I made the Sino challenge team but unfortunately missed the World Cup side.

“I was happy to be selected but I haven’t made the team yet and have made camps and missed out in the past so I’ll be more excited if I make

the team. Making the team will give me a chance to play against some extremely good competition, which always helps,” he said.

Andrej Lemanis, the head coach of the Australian Basketball team spoke about the good mix of players in the squad.

“There is a good mix of experienced Boomers campaigners and players getting their Boomers opportunity for the first time. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all comes together and watching this group develop.

“As we identified, the new FIBA format provides the opportunity for

different guys to step in and show what they can do on the international stage and I’m looking forward to seeing it play out – the enthusiasm that new people bring to the group is always exciting to be around,” he said.

The Australian NBA contingent is not available for this tournament and injuries as well as personal commitments have also restricted some players from putting their hand up for the FIBA Asia Cup. However, a broader squad will still be in contention for the team to compete at the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers which begin in November.

23 Nepean News 22 June 2017 Issue 203

sport

Celebrity

ROUND 16

ROUND 17

NZW WES NQC CAN SYD STG CRO PAR GCT BRI SYD MAN CAN NEW SOU BUL GCT PAN BRI MEL NEW MAN BUL STG MEL CRO NZW NQC WES PAN June 23 6.00pm

June 23 7.50pm

June 24 3.00pm

June 24 5.30pm

June 24 7.30pm

June 25 2.00pm

June 25 4.00pm

June 29 7.50pm

June 30 6.00pm

June 30 7.50pm

July 1 3.00pm

July 1 5.30pm

July 1 7.30pm

July 2 2.00pm

July 2 4.00pm

SCORE

Sharon Mudiman - First National Glenmore Park - 0413 757 998

140 Greg Taylor - Stanton & Taylor - 0418 235 333

152 Lauren Fitzpatrick - Penrith Valley Prestige Cleaning - 0415 166 306

140 Mark Fitzpatrick - Penrith Valley Pest Control - 0430 220 263

152 Toby Hughes - Sinclair Hyundai - 4720 1111

132 Daniel Galea - Adenbrook Homes - 9622 4091

148 Vic Shipley - Powersmart Electrical - 0415 982 093

140 Tricia Hitchen - Deputy Mayor - 0417 365 313

142 John Thain - Penrith City Mayor - 0411 427 812

128 Jeff WatsonBenard - Club Bratusa President, St Marys Band Club - 9623 1211 Councillor

142 Aaron Tyres- -Venue @printManager, Pioneer Tavern - 4736 4466 Iris Russell

130

TIPSTERS ROUND 16

ROUND 17

NZW WES NQC CAN SYD STG CRO PAR GCT BRI SYD MAN CAN NEW SOU BUL GCT PAN BRI MEL NEW MAN BUL STG MEL CRO NZW NQC WES PAN June 23 6.00pm

June 23 7.50pm

June 24 3.00pm

June 24 5.30pm

June 24 7.30pm

June 25 2.00pm

June 25 4.00pm

June 29 7.50pm

June 30 6.00pm

June 30 7.50pm

July 1 3.00pm

July 1 5.30pm

July 1 7.30pm

July 2 2.00pm

July 2 4.00pm

SCORE

Mark Geyer - Nepean News columnist

136 Drew Clegg - BOQ - 0427 998 111

128 David Seager - Seager Financial Services - 0411 107 776

120 Prue Car - Memberfor Londonderry - 9833 1122

132 Victor Glanville - Vic’s Maxi Transport - 4732 2195

146 Peter Zaccazan - Zac Homes - 1300 350 793

142 Alex McKenzie - Future Financial Services - 0414 330 651

144 Paul Wallace - Property Central - 0412 272 407

150 Jim Hill - Nepean Solar - 0425 281 626

140 Steve Beard - Select Mortgage - 0403 166 207

130 Aaron Tyers - @print - 4731 5055 Nicole Keene - Blink Property - 1300 629 610

122

26

sport

Nepean News 22 June 2017 Issue 203

Coach’s Corner

Has Rugby League gone soft?

Rugby League has been labelled as soft for completely outlawing any punching or acts of physical violence on the field. It has been labelled soft for slowing down the game to penalise players for head high tackles, shoulder charges and acts of foul play. Rugby League has also been labelled as soft for suspending offenders for lengthy periods of time.

Yet in popular night spots across Australia every weekend there are people hospitalised for one punch assaults, some of these result in death. Sprawled across every newspaper in the country are calls for harsher penalties for these thugs and rightfully so.

How do we separate the acts of players on the field to those members of the general public off the field?

We accept and encourage one, but we are outraged by the other? Unfortunately we cannot have it both ways!

Is Rugby League soft for outlawing incidents similar to the Paul Gallen flurry of punches on Nate Myles in State of Origin I in 2013? There were plenty saying that the game has gone soft as a result of the one punch and you are off rule. We all understand that emotions sometimes spill over and fights happen. It is a competitive game. When you magnify that intensity to the level of State of Origin it is at an even higher level of intensity and competitiveness.

What if that punch had killed or severely injured Nate Myles? Our opinions would be different. Rugby League needs to ensure it protects its players and the product. It would be an extreme case for Nate Myles to have suffered a severe head trauma from that

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incident. But who is to say that this current group of NRL players will not suffer the effects of these head knocks in 20-30 years?

On August 29, 2013 the NFL settled with more than 4,500 former athletes on a concussion lawsuit which cost the league in excess of more than $765 million dollars. The former players accused the NFL of concealing the dangers of concussions and rushing injured players back onto the field while glorifying and profiting from the kind of bone-jarring hits that make for spectacular highlight-reel footage.

Rugby League has created more intelligent and highly skilled athletes. If you want to compare the on field acts of modern Rugby League players to those during the years prior to the year 2000 you will find a lot of fighting, kneeing, elbowing, facials, swinging arms and broken bones. The so called good old days!

Those times were unsustainable and unrealistic.

Modern players cannot and should not be compared to players of past generations. The game demands different skills and tactics as it matures and changes over time. The players from past generations were tough and one dimensional, this is what the game required. Rugby League was less complex and was played in a very simple fashion. The modern game is far more complex with several rule changes along with full time coaches, players and support staff.

Modern technology allows players and coaches to break games down and isolate deficiencies in opposition players. The modern player needs to be multi-dimensional or they do not survive.

Foul play has been eliminated by the advances in

technology. The referees simply could not see all of the foul play and or it was accepted as part of the game. Fast forward to the present day and we have at least 20 different camera angles available for every single NRL game. We have two on field referees, two touch judges and the bunker and a match review committee. You simply cannot get away with the tactics and foul play that once existed.

Are there elements of the game that need to be cleaned up? Of course! Players diving and staying down to receive penalties has become a blight on our game as has the constant development of tactics to wrestle in order to control the speed of the play the ball.

The lack of foresight from the NFL has placed their game into a very dicey predicament, where there is talk the sport may not exist in 25 years.

Simply because parents will not allow their children to play the sport and development streams may become non-existent or unable to sustain the demand of the College and NFL teams. The sport has made dramatic changes to the rules over the past few years.

NFL commentators and experts reacted to these changes by labelling the game as soft…

We need to ensure our own development streams are protected for the years ahead. If we neglect the opinions of parents and young children we may find ourselves with less players coming through into the NRL in the years ahead. For those calling Rugby League or any other sport for that matter soft. I would ask this simple question: Do you want your sport to exist in 25 years’ time?

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Sports Scenes With special thanks to Samuel Hinkley, this edition of Sports Scenes takes you to Penrith Cricket Club’s recent cricket presentation night, hosted in the Ron Mulock Room at Panthers Leagues Club.

With Penrith’s City Council’s Bernard Bratusa and Panthers Chairman, David O’Neill among the 100+ guests, Penrith celebrated their 2016-17 one-day title success in style and paid tribute to retiring skipper, Matthew Halse.

Retiring first-grade skipper, Matthew Halse addresses the audience.

Player of the Year (Male): Daniel Sparkes.

Women’s Player of the Year: Lisa Griffith.

Club Person of the Year: Peter Hazard.

Ankle injury fails to quash Yeo‘s resolve

By Stewart Moses @TheRiffMarn

Everyone has their own version of what transpired in the space of those last two minutes in Penrith’s great escape against Canberra in Bathurst.

But for arguably one of the NRL’s most improved players in 2017, all Isaah Yeo was thinking about was nursing yet another knock to an ongoing ankle injury that required the Dubbo junior to leave Carrington Park in a moon boot.

But despite the pain, Yeo said Corey Harawira-Naera’s try gave the team every confidence that they could find that match-winning try despite having just one set of six left in the game to do so.

“I just hurt my ankle so I was just trying to stay on the field,” Yeo admitted to Nepean News.

“I’ve got a bit playing up in there at the moment and I’m just getting it sorted week by week and go from there.

“But I saw Corey go over with a nice line run from him and you just never know in rugby league these days.

“We’ve got all the confidence in the world in ourselves.

“Obviously you’ve got to play the full 80 minutes and we knew we had to do that against the Raiders.

“Lucky we did that and Peachey popped up at the right time.”

As opposed to their win over the Bulldogs being built on an eighty minute performance, Penrith’s win over Canberra came despite an errorriddled effort that saw the team barely complete above 60% of their sets.

Canberra by comparison completed 19 of 21 sets in a near faultless second-half performance but yet

 Isaah Yeo has emerged as Penrith’s key forward in season 2017. Credit: Penrith Panthers.

again failed to manage the game in closing minutes as the Panthers got it right when it counted.

But despite the high error-rate, Yeo said the previous week’s win over the Bulldogs was the catalyst for their amazing finish against Canberra, before adding that win gives the side some valuable momentum going as the Panthers look for their first win in 2017 over top-eight opposition in the Townsville heat this Saturday.

“Last week’s performance (against the Bulldogs) really helped us for this game,” Yeo confirmed.

“I thought tonight our last ten minutes was probably the best ten minutes we had played for the season.

“Obviously we weren’t completing

where we wanted to, but I didn’t think we were playing too bad to be honest.

“It was end to end football and we knew that was going to happen with them being such a big strong attacking side so I thought we weathered that pretty well.

“I don’t think they were beating us with great any skill.

“We were coughing up at the wrong moments and they took advantage of it.

“We need wins at the moment and we’re building a bit of momentum over this period so it’s nice.”

While Matt Moylan and Dylan Edwards understandably earned plenty of praise post-game, Yeo’s efforts again showed why he has been

Penrith’s forward leader this season.

Against Canberra, Yeo ran a gamehigh (among all forwards) 167 metres off 19 hit ups and made 31 tackles.

In fact in season 2017, Yeo has increased his hitups per game by two to over twelve per game, has found an extra 18 metres to gain over a careerbest 114 metres per game, has already equalled or bettered his offloads, try and line-break assists totals from last season and is well on the way to bettering his 2016 tackle-break efforts.

In defence Yeo averages over four extra tackles per game without compromising on his reputation as being the team’s most efficient defender.

Yeo puts down his improved performances to the level of confidence gained in having now played 69 games.

“As you mature and get a little bit older it sort of helps a little bit,” Yeo said.

“It’s more just a confidence thing, the more games you play the more confident you get.

“I like to try and help the boys out where I can and if that’s just taking more hit-ups and tackles I’m more than happy to do that.”

Having been ruled ineligible to play for Country in their last ever clash against City in his parent’s new hometown of Mudgee last month due to injury, the win was especially sweet for Yeo given the Bathurst clash at last provided the opportunity to play in front of friends and family.

“It sucked not being able to play in Mudgee but this was a close second playing in Bathurst,” Yeo declared.

“Going to the game I think I had about 30 family members and friends which I really enjoyed having that support.”

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Corey redeems after a moment of madness

By Stewart Moses @TheRiffMarn

Penrith’s dramatic 24-20 win over Canberra added another chapter in another fierce rivalry that has seen both clubs win 35 games apiece after over thirty years of competition.

But it could have been a much different outcome on the night, especially if the Raiders capitalised on a brain-snap from boom rookie back-rower, Corey Harawira-Naera on the stroke of half-time, after he and opposing Canberra forward Joseph Tapine got into an altercation at the play-the-ball.

Instead Harawira-Naera returned from his first ever ten-minute stint in the NRL’s sin-bin determined to play a pivotal role, with his 79th minute try instrumental in Penrith’s dramatic comeback victory over Canberra.

But despite finishing the game strongly, the Panther rookie admits his stint in the sin-bin shows that he still has much to work on at this level.

“It was a bit of a fiery end to that half for myself and the team,” Harawira-Naera told Nepean News.

“For myself I wanted to come out, put my hand up and make up for it because I was off the field for ten

 Penrith’s 2017 surprise packet, Corey Harawira-Naera surges towards the try-line.

Credit: Penrith Panthers.

minutes and they did it hard without me.

“It would have felt worse had we lost so I’m happy to get the two points in the end.

“It was a bit of a brain snap there I reckon. I’m not normally like that.

“I think I just let the game get to me which is something I need to address.

“In future I just need to relax and take the game as it comes and when things like that happen, I need to brush it off and finish the game.”

Harawira-Naera, who also

overcame a stinger to his shoulder to remain on the field and play his part in the win, added that the side’s recent wins gave them plenty of confidence they could still win as they continue to work their way back up the ladder.

“It takes its time to get some feeling back into the shoulder but I knew I was going to be sweet, I’ve had a lot of them throughout my short little NRL career,” Harawira-Naera confirmed.

“After the last few wins we’ve had we knew we had belief in each other.

“We never gave up in the end and tonight showed that if we are all on the same page and want it enough then wins like that will happen.

“At the moment we just need to keep getting those two points to get ourselves back into the competition and we’ll do whatever we have to do to get there.

“I’m just proud of the boys for not giving up to the end of the game.”

The Kiwi back-rower, who is set to confirm in the not-too-distant future that he will be remaining with the club post 2017, has been undoubtedly Penrith’s surprise packet in his debut year thus far.

In just nine NRL appearances to date, Harawira-Naera, who has already built quite the reputation for his hole-running abilities with nine line-breaks and five tries already against his name, credits his halves for running those good lines.

“The halves tell me where to run, all they have to do is put me in the right spot and if they give me the ball, they give me the ball and if they don’t, they don’t,” Harawira-Naera explained.

“I’m just really lucky it’s come off a few times but I definitely didn’t expect to have five tries in the NRL already, it’s been a dream come true.”

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Repeat Sets with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

CLASH BETWEEN THE MASTER AND HIS HEIR APPRAENT LOOMS UP NORTH It was initially shaping up as an inconsistent performance from a five-eighth two weeks into his new role.

An early solo try was followed by numerous errors, wrong options and missed tackles in defence which was contributing to what was shaping up to being an overall disappointing night at the office from the Panthers, who displayed little of the form that destroyed the Bulldogs just six days earlier.

But just as he did in the very first set of the second half, conjuring up a play for Dylan Edwards that enabled half Nathan Cleary to streak away to score and give Penrith a flattering 12-4 lead, Moylan was even more magical inside those last two minutes with two pieces of play that will long live in the memory of the near 9,000 strong Carrington Park crowd.

It was stuff only champions can do, twice feigning to Edwards, who was causing the Raiders constant headaches with his presence in the line in attack.

Firstly Moylan feigned to go inside to his fullback before in the very same movement passing it to Corey Harawira-Naera, who seems to have no problem in accepting invitations to score tries.

Then on the fifth play in the last set of the game, again Moylan showed courage and poise to dummy to Edwards, this time on his outside.

Instead he went inside to Tyrone Peachey, who wasted little time in scoring the match-winning try with the last play of the game to leave the Raiders, who led 20-12 with two minutes remaining and probably should have led by more if not for a bounce of the ball that eluded their winger Nick Cotric from scoring just minutes earlier.

But despite Penrith’s at times frustrating performance, Anthony Griffin never gave up on a side that is fast becoming adapt at finding ways to win in tight situations.

“Obviously it looked that way but I actually said in the box if we could get a score and stop the clock then we get one more set,” Griffin explained.

“It just felt all night we had some points in us particularly through the middle.

“But we just kept getting it wrong for long periods with the ball and put ourselves under a lot of pressure but the players never lost any belief.

“It was a really tough performance I thought.

“We didn’t play very well but we just kept coming and I thought it was a really tough resilient performance from us.”

Moylan echoed his coach’s thoughts that the team wasn’t really in the game but through some strong

have a chance to mount their case for a top-four position when they travel to Auckland to take on the New Zealand Warriors this Saturday.

David Tangata-Toa’s Holden Cup side continue to defy expectations and remain in a share of top spot with the Cronulla Sharks, after another hard-fought 28-22 win over the Raiders at Pepper Stadium, minus influential hooker Wayde Egan.

The Panthers next take on the Cowboys this Saturday before heading off to ANZ Stadium the following Sunday where they continue their winning ways against the Rabbitohs.  Moylan’s magic stole the show and the two competition points in Bathurst. Credit: Penrith Panthers.

defensive efforts, were never out of it either, despite having failed to convert their first half opportunities into points before falling behind 20-12 midway through the second half.

“We just needed to get a try and give ourselves an opportunity,” Moylan said.

“I thought we had to play a bit more direct and simple.

“Our execution was letting us down. I think we gave ourselves good opportunities but just little things like a few kicks where I didn’t put them in the right spot, got us on the back foot and we just need to fix that up.

“We were playing too laterally and we weren’t completing our sets and put ourselves into that position midway through that second half.

“But we hung pretty well all night.

“The opposition scored off scrums and fifth plays but (otherwise) I thought we hung in pretty well most of the night when we had to.

“That gave us our chance at the back-end where we finished that game pretty well with what we wanted to do but it took us a long time to do it.”

Penrith put the disappointment of their loss to Canterbury behind them with a resolute 1812 win over ISP top-four aspirants Mounties at Pepper Stadium.

Penrith’s win was built on a stoic defensive effort and never conceded the lead to Mounties at any point in the match while half, Darren Nicholls controlled the game with a man-of-the-match performance.

With results favouring the Panthers, they

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News has come through that Peter Wallace, who was initially thought to be returning from injury this week, is out for another two-four weeks, while James Fisher-Harris is at least another week from returning from injury.

That means the Panthers have named the same seventeen for this Saturday’s trek north to Townsville for the first time since 2013 in a seventh v eighth encounter that will see the winner remain in touch with top-four aspirants.

The Cowboys who have named a 23-man squad including former Panther Te Maire Martin, will be at home in the conditions despite haven’t not played in the Townsville daylight since 2007, while it was 1999 when the Panthers last ventured north to play a daytime game, which they ironically won.

The Townsville game also represents the team’s first opportunity to defeat current top-eight opposition for the first time in 2017.

Jed Cartwright and Kaide Ellis have been named in a 21-man squad as follows in numeric order: Edwards, Mansour, Blake, Whare, D WateneZelezniak, Moylan (C), Cleary, Tamou, Rein, Campbell-Gillard, Yeo, Harawira-Naera, Merrin.

Interchange: Peachey, Latu, Browne, Kikau, Ellis, Katoa, Akauola, Cartwright.

Isaah Yeo, despite an on-going ankle issue, is likely to play at this stage.

The following Sunday sees the Panthers head off to ANZ Stadium looking to avenge a Round Six to the South Sydney Rabbitohs at a venue where the Panthers have had no joy against their opponents.

See you at the game. #PantherPride

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GOLDEN POINTS with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

THE MOYLAN / EDWARDS SHOW SET TO SOLVE PANTHERS’ ROSTER PUZZLE The irresistible form of Matt Moylan at fiveeighth and the encouraging efforts of Dylan Edwards at fullback, has allowed Penrith to make some big decisions with regards to its’ top25 roster, granting immediate releases to Kiwi internationals Peta Hiku and Te Maire Martin.

Moylan in just two games, has made the fiveeighth position his own to an extent that recruit Te Maire Martin remained marooned in the lower grades and had no real opportunity available to being able to add to his 13 NRL appearances to date with the Panthers.

Thus it’s second time lucky for the North Queensland Cowboys, who originally missed out on Martin’s services when he signed with Penrith back in 2015, with the five-eighth opting to move to Townsville until the end of 2019.

Martin’s unconditional release means he could play against his former club as soon as this Saturday should either Johnathan Thurston (looking to play his 300th NRL game) or halves partner Michael Morgan fail to back up from last night’s Origin game.

Like Martin, the return of Josh Mansour coupled with the emergence of Dylan Edwards in a backline that also features Waqa Blake, Dean Whare and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has also squeezed Hiku out of the NRL side to an extent where he too looked uncertain as to when he would add to his 20 NRL appearances as a Panther.

Hiku’s release has allowed him to take a lucrative deal with Warrington that will see him play in the English Super League until at least the end of 2019.

The release of Hiku and Martin was preceded by the release of lower grades utility Samisoni Langi, who is also heading to the UK Super League with Leigh Centurions reportedly set to become his new club.

Moylan’s form at five-eighth has also saved the club a potentially difficult recruitment decision for 2018 given the lack of success Martin and the currently-injured Bryce Cartwright had earlier in the season when playing in the play-making position.

Having being reportedly in the mix for Ben Hunt earlier this year along with suggestions the club was interested in Cooper Cronk (which were denied), it can be revealed that the club was seriously monitoring the unfolding situation at Cronulla regarding unsettled halfback James Maloney.

Bailey who tracked Mansour’s recovery and his thoughts.

Among the revelations is the fact that the couple’s first child due in November, is a year to the day of Mansour’s ACL injury.

Speaking of Mansour, while Thurston is expected to play his 300th NRL game this Saturday against the Panthers, the Penrith winger has a potential milestone of his own, needing to score just one try to become the 12th Panther to score 50 NRL tries for the club.  Dylan Edwards’ form at fullback has been captivating to say the least. Credit: Penrith Panthers

Despite being contracted until the end of 2018, Maloney has made no secret of a desire to cash in on the surge in demand for playmaking halves and the Panthers were set to pounce until Moylan’s successful switch to five-eighth, changed matters.

The trio’s departures will also undoubtedly resolve one new problem that has emerged for Penrith’s salary cap – the rise and rise of Dylan Edwards.

Having already attracted interest from other clubs eager to give the then Intrust Super Premiership fullback a clearer pathway to the NRL, Edwards’ scintillating form since being given the NRL fullback role, means his asking price rises significantly as well.

But the recent roster movements should allow the Panthers to upgrade his bargain basement contract despite being already contracted until the end of 2018.

The roster shake-up also ensures boom rookie back-rower Corey Harawira-Naera, who has already agreed to terms, will be officially re-signed by the club in coming weeks.

There appears to be action off the field as well with the Sunday Telegraph, which having first reported this back in late April, reporting that the club is looking to offer coach Anthony Griffin a two-year extension that if accepted, will see the coach remain with the club until the end of 2020.

Mansour’s encouraging return from that ACL injury continues to gather momentum but what caught my eye pre the Canberra game was the special Fox Sports story put together by Zac

Congratulations to James Fisher-Harris and his partner Natalie, who are expecting their first child.

The good news comes in the midst of what has been a tough season to date for the club’s 2016 co-Rookie of the Year, having battled injury after injury since the trials.

Penrith may have found its next Eto Nabuli after “Fijian Flyer” Maika Sivo made an encouraging ISP debut against Mounties.

Also in the same game, Holden Cup try-scoring hooker Wayde Egan, made his ISP debut from the bench and made an immediate impact, setting up the match-winning try for Jed Cartwright, who was returning from a long lay-off with injury.

Spotted at that game was Jed’s father and Panther legend John Cartwright.

Although his appearance was to naturally support his son, that hasn’t stopped media reports suggesting the club is keen to bring the Manly assistant coach back home to Penrith.

Speaking of Nabuli, the former Panther made his rugby union international debut for Australia in the Wallabies shock 24-19 loss to Scotland at Allianz Stadium.

Fans will be able to purchase special earlybird tickets to the 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final with Club Members the big winners as they will be able to take advantage of the special early-bird prices from $45 for adults, $40 for children and $130 for families.

Tickets to the 2017 decider will go on sale to ticketed NRL Club Members on Monday June 26, and to the General Public on Thursday, June 29.

See you at the game. #PantherPride

MG on the mark with MARK GEYER

Target Early Cancer Symptoms with a Bullseye

 Dylan Edwards looks right at home as Panthers fullback

Every Rugby League team faces pivotal games in their respective season that can rapidly change the trajectory of any given club. Panthers face one this Saturday when they take on Jonathan Thurston and his Cowboys in Townsville.

Sitting now in the 8 (only one game behind the Cowboys in 7th) the Panthers have clawed back major momentum going from 5 losses in a row earlier in the season and being written off by most, to a hopeful 5 wins in a row this Saturday added with an emphatic exclamation mark to say “Here we come!”

There’s no secret that Skipper Matty Moylan’s shift to number 6 has been a catalyst, but he can’t get all the plaudits. Fullback Dylan Edwards and Mitch Rein’s addition have also added spark; hence seeing young half Nathan Cleary grow in confidence with a spine now worthy of being mentioned with the better ones in the comp.

The Panthers were dealt a blow though mid week in the depth department with Te Maire Martin moving on immediately to the Cowboys, and Peta Hiku doing the same to the Super League. But one gets the feeling the Panthers will be okay.

It’s the big boppers, Merrin, Tamou, Yeo, Campbell Gillard and co that have really stepped up in the last month.

And they’ll have to continue this Saturday against the Cowboys if their very

own trajectory is to continue in a northern direction.

And another thing..

Whilst I get untold joy in seeing the front page of this week’s edition and pride being associated with a charity like the Great Walk Foundation in reaching such a significant goal (1 million dollars) its time to help others.

This time the local Cancer Council, as we embark upon our 4th installment of the Cancer Council’s Darts Challenge.

If you’re a darts enthusiast and want to help others affected by this retched disease keep Friday the 21st of July free and join me as we hit the fight against Cancer head-on as we “Target Early Symptoms with a Bullseye” Darts Challenge at the Pioneer Tavern will kick off at 12.30pm. It’s $30 per head which includes a beer/wine on arrival and a host of finger food to keep you nourished.

If you are keen on donating any raffle prizes or simply want to play, express your interest with Iris Russell at the Pioneer Tavern on 47364466 or chat to Leanne Langdon from the Cancer Council Leanne.Langdon@nswcc.org.au See you there.

MG (random Westie) OAM

DAVE HUGHES

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